Mar 21, 2012
I am very excited to write Part Two of the crazy cartoon spotlight as this time we are featuring the felines! If you want to see the Part One about the doggies on the Posh Pets blog, please check out this link.
A bit of background…my friend and fellow creative, Daniela Easter, teaches students how to cartoon. It really does sound like a lot of fun! In February, Daniela had asked me for some of my kitty images so that her students would be able to have a base to work off of. I wish I had a group of student drawings to showcase, but unfortunately, it was graduation day and there was no time to scan the artwork before the students took them home. Sigh. But, I thought you might find it cool to see what the teacher is able to produce. So, here is Daniela’s work.
Here is the original image:
And Daniela’s cartoon:
Another original image:
And the cartoon version:
Again, if you have a young artist who would want to participate, Daniela conducts various classes in Brampton. These include 6 week curriculums and intensives for the March and Summer school breaks. Find all of the details about the art school – Progressive Art for Progressive Kids – here.
Mar 19, 2012
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of photographing a true little lady. The lovely Freya is a maltese/poodle mix who has aged so gracefully. Being a little older now, Freya is most comfortable in her home – and what a gorgeous home she lives in! So, believe me, it was a joy to conduct her custom photo session inside, away from the winter elements.
Her mom, Shari, really wanted to update an image she had from when Freya was a wee little puppy; one that would capture the essence of their relationship. A relationship that has developed into something very special through the years. We were on the bed, on the gorgeous chairs and we even snuck a few outside. So, with no further ado, Posh Pets would like you to please meet the wonderful little Freya!
Freya…I hope you know that you are adored, cherished and very much loved by your mom. Thank you for the privilege of capturing your sweet personality during an afternoon visit. May you have many more wonderful years ahead of you!
Mar 14, 2012
Here are this week’s group of furry faces, patiently awaiting a forever home. If you see someone you would like to get to know better, please contact the Toronto Animal Services (North Region) to arrange an introduction. As always, they will be featured on the Posh Pets Facebook page throughout the week.
Here are the fabulous felines!
Mar 9, 2012
This week’s theme was to illustrate “grace” through an image. Now, my Lady Jane is anything but graceful, but she does have one habit she has picked up in the last year that nudges her in the right direction. When she is at rest, she crosses her paws. I do not know why she suddenly started doing this, but it does make her very cute. And,it is far more graceful a pose than the “one-back-leg in-the-air-so-I-can-lick-my-bum” position she is fond of demonstrating.
With that, this week’s image is one of those lovely little crossed paws.
The other image I wanted to share on this theme is of little Winston. As Posh Pets blog readers know, I volunteer my time to take images of the animals that are available for adoption each week at the Toronto animal shelter. Through that experience, I meet all kinds of animals – some are goofy, some are sad and some, like little Winston pictured here, have such poise of spirit (I would say “grace” in their manners) that you immediately want to take them home. Just take a look at the seriousness on his little face along with his charming pose! I am hoping that images like these will impress on people that shelter animals are not “damaged” pets. They are loveable little furry souls who could warm your heart and home. May everyone consider adopting the next time they are looking for a four-legged family member…
Well that is it for another week of Project 52 for Posh Pets! But, YOU are not done yet…please now check out the talented Dana Cubbage from Charleston, South Carolina. I can’t wait to see who “graced” her blog this week! And be sure to click through to see all the wonderful imagery from the rest of the Project 52 members.
Mar 2, 2012
This week’s challenge was to keep the words to a minimum and tell a story through an image(s). Photojournalists have mastered the art of letting an image speak for itself, and there exist iconic images that changed the course of world events. Now, I don’t think for one moment that that is the level of storytelling presented here, but I think you will enjoy this funny little series nonetheless.
The Wolf Within Sleeps (The Cost of Domestication)
I am Dog. Master of my own domain. At one with the Great Outdoors.
Though once my fun is done, I like nothing better than to be warm and dry inside.
But, do not fear! I am not conquered! I have learned the power of “puppy dog eyes”. How it makes humans bend to my will.
Open…the…door…
…please?
The next in the blog roll is Tiffany Haulton of Haulton Photography. Please check out what story she has to tell this week! And then click all around the blog roll until you wind up back here. You won’t be disappointed!
Feb 29, 2012
Here are the adoptables for this week! If there is a furry face here that you would like to get to know better, please contact Toronto Animal Services – North Region directly. The Posh Pets Photography Facebook Page will be also featuring their images over the next couple of days. We will be sure to post a little information about each one along with their image.
First are the kitties!
And now the dogs!
Please pass these images on to those who may be looking to adopt and we’ll see you next week!
Feb 25, 2012
Today, I am really excited to feature something that is a little different for the Posh Pets blog – crazy cartoons! Let me explain…
Daniela Easter is an award winning artist and personal friend of mine. Apart from her private commissions, she founded and, for the past 8 years has run, Progressive Art for Progressive Kids in Brampton. This is an art school that helps young people develop their skills and exposes them to the various mediums and forms of art. For the past few weeks, her students, ages 8-12, have been learning how to cartoon!
Daniela approached me to see if I could lend a hand by providing some images of animals, which of course, I was only too happy to do. The students were encouraged to analyze the image and determine the dog’s personality. They could then determine how to draw him in such a way that their cartoon would come to life. And, here are the awesome results:
The original image:
And the cartoon renditions! This one is by Kaitlin:
And this one is by Hemel:
Another original image:
And some awesome cartoon versions of this guy too. (I think he became the antagonist of the story…look at those teeth!)
From Sesa:
And from Nicole:
The students loved the original photos (apparently there were lots of “awwws”) and had a ball turning them into their own creations. I hear that in the next week or so, they will be tackling the kitty photos I sent and I will certainly feature those in a future blog post as well.
Impressed? Well, if you have a young artist who would want to participate, Daniela conducts various classes in Brampton. These include 6 week curriculums and intensives for the March and Summer school breaks. Find all of the details here.
Feb 24, 2012
First off, if you follow the Project 52 series each week, I am happy to report that Patches and April were adopted a few days ago! Not together, which would have been just about perfect, but I am so happy that these older pets found lovely families to spend the rest of their lives with. If you missed their story, you can read it here.
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This week’s theme was chosen by Posh Pets to see what we could do with mirrors or any other reflective surface. I cannot wait to see what the group came up with!
Here is Ripley. The one thing that people always comment on are his gorgeous eyes. After all these years, they are still as large and bright as they ever were and these images really show them off. He’s looking adoringly at himself in my compact mirror.
And then, there is Lady Jane – her tail, that is. I really like this image because it just has the hint of a cat. What you do not see is the furry, loveable 15 lb. body attached to it!
Next up in the blog circle is Kelly Kennedy Coyle of Sweet Silver Photo. Please check her work out as well as the rest of the artists in our group – we love it when we get feedback!
Feb 20, 2012
They named her Rags, short for Ragamuffin. The name fit. Found running down a main road by a kindly police officer, this snippet of a dog shivering from the cold was brought to the closest shelter. A senior dog, deaf, blind and not yet spayed, she had been hungry too long. And had too many puppies. As a result, her skin was many sizes too large for the small body she carried on her slight frame. Her coat was a clear witness to the neglect she had experienced.
The now permanently closed shelter had an arrangement with the local college – they “placed” animals with the Veterinary Technician Program with the hopes of them becoming socialized. It was a good arrangement. After all, the students need practice at handling animals, and a socialized animal has a much better chance of adoption than one that is not. In this way, a small, delicate Shih-Poo named Rags arrived at the college in a sad state. She was almost immediately shaved and spayed and met the students.
One of those students was my sister.
From the moment she met Rags, my sister held her and with words she could not hear, but affection she could feel, let her know that someone in the world cared. At the end of the semester when the time came for Rags to return to the shelter, my sister knew that that simply could not happen. Given her age and her medical condition, her chances of adoption were almost non-existent. She would only have shelter life to look forward to.
And so Rags was brought home. We are a close family, which means that this girl has become a part of all of our lives. It has been amazing to see the indomitable spirit of such a little dog. While she spent her first few days only sleeping and eating, by the third day, she wagged her tail for the first time. A few days later, she found her voice.
Today marks an anniversary. Rags has been with us for one whole year. She now shares her life with two other Shih Tzus, and although deaf and blind, she has quickly learned the routine. They have accepted her into the family and surprisingly, she is able to interact with them despite her limited senses. More importantly, she has not let her past taint her ability to accept the love she is receiving now and will receive on into the future.
Fortunately, we will never know all the details of her sad life before she came to us. That is a story that only Rags could relate and she is not telling. But one thing is clear: the Rags who arrived at the shelter just over a year ago, no longer exists. Fitting for a dog that has come so far, and whose life has changed so much, her name has changed. World…please meet Muffin. Muffy. The sweetest dog in the world. The little dog with an amazing heart. The little dog who has found her forever home.
Muffy, enjoying her life today.
Happy Anniversary Muffin!
EDIT: We said good-bye to Muffin at 3:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19, 2013. My sister had asked her for 2 years when she adopted her and that is what Muffy gave us. She was wonderful, amazing and incredible and is sorely missed. While her body eventually failed her, her heart loved until the end. Go gently into that good night, Muffy.
Feb 10, 2012
Dogs follow their noses, especially the “hound” breeds. This week, Posh Pets was fortunate enough to photography a trio of beagles which provided lots and lots of noses to photograph. This image is a little more abstract/fine art than usual, but I really love it. And it showcases Marcy’s little nose.
Here is a top view of that same nose.
And here is the same nose WAY, WAY TOO CLOSE. Love this picture! This happens a lot during photo sessions – probably more than most people realize. And it always results in funny photos like this one. As well as the necessary business of wiping your lens clean of doggy nose schmutz.
But, just to show you what a beautiful girl Marcy really is, here is her adoption photo. Yes, unbelievably, she and her nose (and eyes, ears, paws and heart!) are all patiently waiting at the Toronto Animal Services for her forever home.
That is it for Posh Pets for this week! Now, please check out Kaylee Greer of Dog Breath Photography who is located just a little south of us in beautiful Boston, Massachusetts! We cannot wait to see what noses she photographed this week!
Feb 3, 2012
Posh Pets’ Project 52 theme for this week was simply “bridges”.
I love this image because it reminds me that the beautiful warm sun still exists – even though we haven’t seen much of it for the past few weeks in cloudy Toronto. Along with blue sky and green trees. And, oh yeah, it has a bridge! So, even though this technically was taken last summer, I think you will all forgive me if I bent the rules a bit.
Now, please check out Peggy Mundell of DogBreedz and see what bridges she found in sunny California! Over to you, Peggy!
Jan 27, 2012
This week’s theme made me smile as I knew exactly the image I wanted to capture. While cats are known for their ability to jump, they tend to have the reputation for being independent and aloof. In other words, not cuddly. Well, Ripley is a bit of a contradiction in terms for a cat. At 17 years of age, he is not so much into jumping anymore, but he is an absolute suck when it comes to getting cuddles from my husband. I just knew that this was what I wanted to photograph. And so, I present Ripley, nestled into Dean’s shoulder for his daily morning cuddle.
We always can tell how relaxed Ripley is by his paws. I love how he crosses his little paws, one over the other, when he is relaxed and really enjoying his hug. When he does this, we know it will be a long one!
Now, please check out fellow Canadian photographer, Ann Kearns to see if her crew was jumping or cuddling…or both! And then follow the blog circle all the way back here. Have a great Friday and weekend!
